Vancouver 2010 selects RBC Financial Group
as exclusive national banking partner
Renews 58-year relationship with Canada's Olympic movement - Includes Canadian Olympic Team sponsorship rights
for 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012 Games
HALIFAX, February 24, 2005 - The
Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games (VANOC) and RBC Financial Group are pleased to
announce that RBC has been chosen as the premier national
partner in the banking category.
RBC is the longest-serving national partner of the Canadian
Olympic team, and with this announcement, continues a 58-year
relationship with the Canadian Olympic movement that officially
started in 1947. Today's agreement provides continued Canadian
Olympic Team sponsorship rights for RBC Financial Group for
the Torino 2006, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010, and the 2012
Games. RBC's total commitment is valued at C$110 million over
the next eight years including a cash contribution of more
than C$70 million. Other support includes banking services,
athlete and amateur sport investments, support for the Paralympics,
First Nation's community development programs and Olympic
brand marketing and promotional support through the RBC network.
"RBC has an outstanding record of supporting amateur
athletics in Canada and has been an exceptional partner for
Canada's Olympic and Paralympic movements," said John
Furlong VANOC CEO. "Our goal is to organize great Games
on behalf of all Canadians and help Canada's athletes achieve
great results in 2010 and beyond. RBC - one of Canada's most
trusted companies - shares this vision and with their tradition
and experience will help us create the conditions for success
in 2010."
"We are extremely proud to renew our long relationship
as the exclusive national Olympic banking partner for the
Games," said Gordon Nixon, President and CEO, RBC Financial
Group. "RBC's commitment to the Olympic Movement has
been steadfast since 1947, and our employees have always been
terrific supporters of Canadian Olympians. We are delighted
to have the opportunity once again to help fulfill Canada's
commitment to the International Olympic Committee to promote,
care and nurture the Olympic promise and its values. And we
are ready to assist VANOC in setting a new world standard
for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games."
"The Canadian Olympic Committee congratulates RBC Financial
Group on its success in becoming a major partner with VANOC
for the 2010 Winter Games," said Chris Rudge Canadian
Olympic Committee CEO. "This is great news for sport.
Over the past 58 years, RBC has played a pivotal role in the
Canadian Olympic Movement through the support of athlete development,
Olympic education and athlete career mentoring. We look forward
to continuing this successful partnership."
VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually
rewarding partnerships with shared Olympic values to generate
sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010
and to leave a financial legacy for sport.
About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing
and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic
Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be
staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010.
Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March
12 to 21, 2010. For more information visit www.vancouver2010.com.
About RBC Financial Group
Royal Bank of Canada (TSX, NYSE: RY) uses the initials RBC
as a prefix for its businesses and operating subsidiaries,
which operate under the master brand name of RBC Financial
Group. Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank as measured
by assets, and is one of North America's leading diversified
financial services companies. It provides personal and commercial
banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate
and investment banking, and transaction processing services
on a global basis. The company employs approximately 60,000
people who serve more than 12 million personal, business and
public sector clients through offices in North America and
some 30 countries around the world. For more information,
please visit www.rbc.com.
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Sam Corea, Communications Manager, Vancouver 2010 Organizing
Committee. (604) 806-1019, sam_corea@vancouver2010.com
Beja Rodeck, Senior Manager, Media Relations, RBC Financial
Group, (416) 525-7793, beja.rodeck@rbc.com
For a complete backgrounder on RBC's involvement with the
Canadian Olympic program, please click www.rbc.com/sponsorship/history.html.
| 
